During the sixth round of the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft, the Washington Nationals picked Williams. This was the sixth consecutive draft that Texas State had a player go in the first 10 rounds.

“It was kind of surprising,” Williams said of being selected by Washington. “I didn’t hear from the Nationals before they drafted me. I hadn’t been in a lot of contact with them before the draft like I had been some other teams (Yankees).”

Williams won the attention of pro scouts with an impressive junior season. The hard-throwing right-hander went 8-3 and struck out 96 batters, which tied him for 10th on the single-season chart at Texas State.

Slot money for the 184th pick of the MLB Draft is $233,200 — so Williams could hit a windfall if he signs.

“I’m definitely leaning towards signing,” Williams said. “To get a chance to play professional ball and to be drafted so high like I was in the sixth round, it’s hard to turn down something that I’ve been working hard to get my entire life. You can’t rule anything out, but I am leaning towards signing.”

For more about Williams’ big day and what should be a big day for some other Bobcats, be sure to check Sunday’s print edition of the Daily Record.

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Garrett Mattlage joined Austen Williams among the ranks of the drafted Saturday afternoon.

Mattlage went to the Detroit Tigers with the 370th overall pick (12th round) in the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

During his junior season at Texas State, Mattlage batted .308 with five home runs and a team-leading 44 RBIs. Mattlage left a lot to be desired with his glove (team-high 14 errors), but scouts love his athletic ability and what he can do at the plate.

Fun fact: Mattlage was the sixth shortstop to be drafted under Texas State head coach Ty Harrington. The junior from West joins Jason Martinson, Thomas Field, Dominic Ramos, Iggy Suarez and Bryan Anderson.

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Make that three Bobcats selected in the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

With the 739th overall pick, the Chicago Cubs nabbed senior catcher Tyler Pearson. This pick occurred in the 25th round.

Pearson dazzled scouts with his defense during the 2014 season, throwing out 50 percent of the runners who tried to steal on him and he only commit four errors. At the plate, Pearson fizzled after a hot start and finished the season batting .222 with five home runs and 22 RBIs.

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How about four Bobcats drafted in the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft?

Just one round after his battery mate Tyler Pearson went to the Chicago Cubs, junior pitcher Taylor Black was selected by the Colorado Rockies. Black was the 773rd overall pick, which came in the 26th round.

As a junior, Black went 6-4 with a team-leading 2.85 ERA. Black struck out 88 batters in 101 innings pitched.